Making the Case
By Tom Firth
While penning these words, the sun is shining, it’s around 20° C, and things are still lush and green. Yet, by the time you might read them, it’s likely rather brown, perhaps there is a frost on the ground and on the windshield most mornings – and very likely, we’ve had a few experiences with some snow.
It’s always amazing, remarkable, and shocking too that weather in Alberta shows such profound change between seasons, and this does make things a little tricky too when it comes to recommending some bottles, plus, our November issue is typically centred around spices – both warming and exotic. So what should be the right wines for November?
This month, I wanted to share an assortment of wines, both new world and old world, many showing a little spiciness on the nose and palate, but others venturing a little further off the beaten path – a little variety being the spice of life, but instead, most of these bottles this month are a little different, a little exciting, and a little spicy too. Whatever the weather is bringing, I sincerely hope everyone has a little chance or two to slow down, and savour something special.
Find these wines by searching the CSPC code at Liquorconnect.com; your local liquor store can also use this code to order it for you. Prices are approximate.
Canella NV Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut, Veneto, Italy
The epitome of a top quality prosecco from the prestigious Valdobbiadene appellation. Blessed with beautiful aromas of crushed apples, white peaches, and scads of mineral tones with some lovely floral elements too. Zesty and quite dry on the palate, it’s impeccably balanced and highly quaffable, and a good foray into more premium examples of prosecco for the interested. Don’t serve too cold!
CSPC 708761 $27-31
Luigi Bosca 2024 De Sangre Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
For a while, malbec was a bit of a “one-trick pony”, the reddest of reds, or biggest of big wines. But I’m pleased to bring an update in that it’s a fantastic grape, and the best have layers upon layers to go with those classic notes. Blackberry and brambly-ness with plenty of dried herbs and a brilliant floral character throughout. A helluva good wine to buy, and perfect for all those protein-rich dishes.
CSPC 733047 $31-36
Louis Roederer 2016 Rosé Champagne, France
Simply put, a completely captivating wine that was as much of a pleasure to drink as it is to share with other like-minded people. Rather pale in the glass with gentle colouring, while to the nose and on the palate it is a gem, showing hints of summer berry fruit, pleasing toasty and lees characters, and abundant mineral presence. Expertly balanced (even for rosé champagne), it’s a perfect celebratory drink – no food required.
CSPC 732836 $150-160
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Dog Point 2022 Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand
There is no denying the aplomb with which pinot noir works at the table, and even better when it’s a great bottle that starts some conversation too. I found this wine juicy and youthful, but at the same time the fruits and tannins were open and very agreeable without unbalanced or excessive acids, rather silky, expressive, and polished. Any fan of brilliant pinot noir would love this, and it hits well above its weight pricewise too.
CSPC 742412 $67-70
Dog Point 2021 Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
An incredibly unusual expression of sauvignon blanc with wickedly intense lees characteristics, and some older oak used in the winemaking. Spicy, salty, and packed with nuttiness, sourdough, and some oxidative expressions, but all supported by brilliant fruit and prominent floral aromas. Absolutely stunning from start to finish and with high versatility at the table being able to handle fat and spice, but also bigger protein too.
CSPC 740435 $57-62
Feudo Maccari 2022 “Saia" Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy
Made from 15 year-old vines, and some extensive vineyard selection processes, this is one of the most premium wines I’ve had from this wonderful grape. Nero d’Avola at its finest is rather generous with its fruits, though with an underlying core of tannin structure, and some excellent weight on the palate too. Translation? This is very easy to drink, of excellent quality, and will go perfectly with all manner of robust, beefy dishes like stews, briskets, or steak.
CSPC736098 $42-45
Hugh Hamilton 2023 “The Scoundrel” GSM, McLaren Vale, South Australia
The GSM, or grenache, syrah/shiraz, and mourvèdre/monastrell (mataro in Australia) blend is one of those combinations of grapes that really pulls out the best of each and makes a pretty amazing wine. Bursting with black and red berry fruits, coffee and cocoa, spice box and floral, and yes, some pretty awesome tannins to tie it all together. Devilishly good, slick and refined, you may find your wallet a little lighter too as you might want to stock up on a few of these.
CSPC 131742 $28-32
Hugh Hamilton 2024 Black Sheep Fiano, McLaren Vale, South Australia
What a delightful wine! We don’t see a tremendous amount of fiano here, and most come from Italy, but in this case, we are seeing it from Australia. Crisp and lean in the glass with loads of mineral and floral aromas and more than a touch of salinity and grassiness. In the mouth, Lifted and zesty with fine balance of fruit and citrus flavours. Uncommonly good, and a heck of a buy too – try pairing with Asian/fusion cuisine, lighter seafoods, or even charcuterie or cheese boards.
CSPC 131724 $26-29
Luigi Bosca 2022 Los Nobles Malbec, Vistalba Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina
From the new(ish) Legacy Collection from Luigi Bosca, the wines in this tier are the sorts of wines that the Arizu family that own the winery want to be remembered for. And wow – this one belongs in that Legacy Collections – no question! The inclusion of about 6 percent petit verdot accelerates things a bit, bringing a little extra floral intensity to the savoury herb, plum, strawberry and menthol aromas. On the palate… it’s even better. Pricey, but worth grabbing a few if you can. Damn good.
CSPC 145212 $88-95
Canella “Lido” NV Rosé Prosecco, Veneto, Italy
Rosé prosecco is relatively new to the scene, and is made by blending up to 15 percent pinot noir into the traditional glera grape. But more importantly, this is wine that is meant to be fun, easy to drink, and a wine that calls out for another glass with friends. Bright and fruity in the glass, it’s a pleasure to enjoy, and more at home with lighter fare, at lunch or brunch – think salads or lighter seafood dishes or snacks. Serve chilled, but not too cold to let those gentler flavours come through.
CSPC 843857 $24-28
San Giorgio 2019 Ugolforte Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
A standout wine in a category known for its amazing wines. Made from 100 percent sangiovese, this is one of the most select regions in Italy for their most recognizable grapes. Brilliant, and still very youthful, the power of its densely laden red and black fruits, is offset by robust, earthy characters of dark, loamy soils, resin, and spices. This one is *just* starting to open up, but worthy of a year or two or ten in the cellar. Serve with top quality red meats, hard cheese, or good company.
CSPC 822278 $68-72
Vinicola Arno 2025 Monferrato “Bilotto” Bianco, Piedmont, Italy
An exciting blend of nascetta and sauvignon blanc in a discussion-worthy bottle. Nascetta is uncommon at best, and virtually unheard of outside of the northern Italian region of Piedmont. Made with no discernable oak, but some lees aging, this crisp and bright wine is citrus laden, and rather floral with dried wood elements and a slightly nutty finish. It could be served well chilled, but allowing it to warm up a little (resting ON the ice instead of IN the ice perhaps) allows the more subtle parts to shine. Worth looking for.
CSPC 107073 $25-26
Bodegas Riojanas 2022 Monte Real Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja, Spain
Who doesn’t love learning something new? A mutation of tempranillo from Rioja that was discovered in 1988, and officially permitted in wines from the region in 2007, this is the sort of thing that keeps wine exciting to explore. The mutation causes the clusters to develop as white wine grapes rather than as red (in a nutshell). The wine itself is a white wine – not a rosé – fairly crisp, with good aromatics, clean, tropical style fruits, and a little bitterness towards the finish. Would be awesome with pork loin, roast poultry, and seafood dishes.
CSPC 136787 $27-30
